Page 7 of Best Independent Living in California

Why trust this guide? Our editorial team analyzed 648 independent living communities in CA using CA Dept. of Social Services (CDSS) data, inspection records, complaints, amenities, and facility-level details. How we rank independent living in CA
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Last updated
We analyzed These are the facilities in California our team has analyzed — not a count of every independent living provider in California.
648 homes
Other senior care options in California:

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Avg Walk Score: 57/ 100The average Walk Score across facilities in California. A third-party neighborhood walkability score (0–100) measuring convenience and context, not healthcare quality. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 50/ 100
Avg No. of Beds: 103The average licensed bed capacity across facilities in California. Individual facilities can vary widely from this average.
National Average: 90

Compare Independent Living around California

Info below is compiled from the CA Dept. of Social Services (CDSS), senior community websites & trusted data sources such as Walk Score & BBB.

Communities are listed from highest-ranked to lowest-ranked based on our methodology.

Care Types in This Table AL (Assisted Living): Housing with help for daily activities like bathing, dressing, and medication, without 24-hour skilled nursing. NH (Nursing Home): 24/7 skilled nursing care for residents with complex, ongoing medical needs. SNF (Skilled Nursing Facility): Round-the-clock nursing care, often for recovery after surgery, injury, or illness. MC (Memory Care): Secured, specialized care for people living with Alzheimer's or dementia. RC (Respite Care): Short-term temporary care that gives family caregivers a break. RESC (Residential Care): Personal care and daily-living support in a smaller, more intimate residential setting. IL (Independent Living): Community living with dining, activities, and transportation for active seniors who need little personal care. CCRC (Continuing Care Retirement Community): A campus with multiple care levels so residents can age in place without moving.
City and state of the facility. Used for mapping and state-average comparisons.
Licensed bed capacity (maximum allowed). Not the same as how many beds are currently filled.
Indicates whether residents are allowed to have pets in the facility.
Third-party neighborhood walkability score (0–100). Convenience/context metric, not a healthcare quality measure.
The ALM Inspection Grade — our own 0–100 score of a facility's regulatory inspection record, shown as a letter and compared with other facilities of the same kind in the same state. It is not a government rating. A dash means we do not publish a grade for that facility: either its public record is too thin to be fair, or we hold nothing for it at all.
Count of regulatory inspections in the reporting window. Higher volume can reflect more oversight visits, complaint-driven surveys, or routine licensure cycles.
Visits or investigations linked to complaints, as counted in the state record (may differ from routine annual surveys).
Count of California state "Type A" citations — the state's most serious citation category (immediate or serious harm to residents), from California state inspection data.
Number of years the company has been in operation.
Reported or derived occupancy for the facility—typically how fully licensed capacity is utilized. Compare across peers in the same market.
Better Business Bureau grade for the operating company. Reflects complaint handling and business practices, not clinical care quality.
Name of the licensed owner, operator, or managing entity as filed with the state. Useful for grouping facilities under the same organization.
Housing or bed configuration options (e.g. studio, shared), often from facility-reported amenities and licensing details.
The Vineyards – California Armenian Home
IL
AL
CCRC
MC
NH
RESC
SNF
Fresno (Roosevelt)
412
Facility 412
CA AVG 103
Rank #27 / 1,492
Yes
24
Facility 24
CA AVG 57
Rank #1,632 / 1,887
-18
8
Facility 8
CA AVG 13
Rank #758 / 1,387
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1,433
41
Facility 41
CA AVG 13
Rank #23 / 1,452
54.1%
Facility 54.1%
CA AVG 74.6%
Rank #1,130 / 1,313
-California Home For The Aged IncStudio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
The Reutlinger Community
IL
AL
MC
NH
SNF
Danville
120
Facility 120
CA AVG 103
Rank #509 / 1,492
No
30
Facility 30
CA AVG 57
Rank #1,559 / 1,887
-27
11
Facility 11
CA AVG 13
Rank #885 / 1,387
1
Facility 1
CA AVG 3
Rank #478 / 1,433
28
Facility 28
CA AVG 13
Rank #133 / 1,452
65.0%
Facility 65.0%
CA AVG 74.6%
Rank #963 / 1,313
A+Reutlinger Community, The And Eskaton Properties IncStudio / 1 Bed
Park Plaza
IL
AL
Orange
115
Facility 115
CA AVG 103
Rank #558 / 1,492
Yes
74
Facility 74
CA AVG 57
Rank #541 / 1,887
C75 / 100 — 8 points below the California average for state-licensed facilities (83/100)10
3
Facility 3
CA AVG 13
Rank #442 / 1,387
2
Facility 2
CA AVG 3
Rank #724 / 1,433
24
Facility 24
CA AVG 13
Rank #258 / 1,452
75.7%
Facility 75.7%
CA AVG 74.6%
Rank #666 / 1,313
-Krc Orange & Kisco Senior Living, LLCStudio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
Belmont Village Senior Living Albany
IL
AL
MC
Albany
225
Facility 225
CA AVG 103
Rank #104 / 1,492
Yes
93
Facility 93
CA AVG 57
Rank #99 / 1,887
C+77 / 100 — 6 points below the California average for state-licensed facilities (83/100)29
15
Facility 15
CA AVG 13
Rank #1,020 / 1,387
4
Facility 4
CA AVG 3
Rank #1,010 / 1,433
9
Facility 9
CA AVG 13
Rank #698 / 1,452
78.2%
Facility 78.2%
CA AVG 74.6%
Rank #598 / 1,313
A+Belmont Village Berkeley LLC And Belmont Three LLCStudio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
Merrill Gardens at Rancho Cucamonga
IL
AL
MC
Rancho Cucamonga (Alta Loma)
150
Facility 150
CA AVG 103
Rank #312 / 1,492
Yes
49
Facility 49
CA AVG 57
Rank #1,240 / 1,887
A-91 / 100 — 8 points above the California average for state-licensed facilities (83/100)11
5
Facility 5
CA AVG 13
Rank #589 / 1,387
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1,433
8
Facility 8
CA AVG 13
Rank #734 / 1,452
77.3%
Facility 77.3%
CA AVG 74.6%
Rank #616 / 1,313
-Rancho Cucamonga And Merrill Gardens Shi-III Mg DevStudio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
Atria Del Sol
IL
AL
MC
RC
Mission Viejo
120
Facility 120
CA AVG 103
Rank #509 / 1,492
Yes
54
Facility 54
CA AVG 57
Rank #1,116 / 1,887
A+97 / 100 — 14 points above the California average for state-licensed facilities (83/100)13
5
Facility 5
CA AVG 13
Rank #589 / 1,387
1
Facility 1
CA AVG 3
Rank #478 / 1,433
30
Facility 30
CA AVG 13
Rank #106 / 1,452
70.8%
Facility 70.8%
CA AVG 74.6%
Rank #779 / 1,313
-Wg Del Sol Sh LP And Atria Management Co LLCStudio / Suite
Brookdale San Marcos
IL
AL
CCRC
MC
NH
SNF
San Marcos
245
Facility 245
CA AVG 103
Rank #91 / 1,492
Yes
75
Facility 75
CA AVG 57
Rank #511 / 1,887
A+97 / 100 — 14 points above the California average for state-licensed facilities (83/100)20
13
Facility 13
CA AVG 13
Rank #950 / 1,387
1
Facility 1
CA AVG 3
Rank #478 / 1,433
25
Facility 25
CA AVG 13
Rank #235 / 1,452
66.5%
Facility 66.5%
CA AVG 74.6%
Rank #934 / 1,313
-Blc-Brookdale Place Of San Marcos LPAlcove / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
Heritage on the Marina, a CCRC
IL
San Francisco (Marina District)
109
Facility 109
CA AVG 103
Rank #606 / 1,492
Yes
96
Facility 96
CA AVG 57
Rank #42 / 1,887
A-92 / 100 — 9 points above the California average for state-licensed facilities (83/100)13
4
Facility 4
CA AVG 13
Rank #525 / 1,387
0
Facility 0
CA AVG 3
Rank #1 / 1,433
51
Facility 51
CA AVG 13
Rank #7 / 1,452
62.4%
Facility 62.4%
CA AVG 74.6%
Rank #1,016 / 1,313
-R-
Fairwinds Woodward Park
IL
AL
Fresno
270
Facility 270
CA AVG 103
Rank #66 / 1,492
Yes
46
Facility 46
CA AVG 57
Rank #1,305 / 1,887
C75 / 100 — 8 points below the California average for state-licensed facilities (83/100)25
11
Facility 11
CA AVG 13
Rank #885 / 1,387
5
Facility 5
CA AVG 3
Rank #1,094 / 1,433
25
Facility 25
CA AVG 13
Rank #235 / 1,452
93.7%
Facility 93.7%
CA AVG 74.6%
Rank #206 / 1,313
A+Fresn LLC And Leisure Care LLCStudio / 1 Bed / 2 Bed
Meridian At Anaheim Hills
IL
AL
MC
RC
Anaheim (Anaheim Hills)
120
Facility 120
CA AVG 103
Rank #509 / 1,492
Yes
65
Facility 65
CA AVG 57
Rank #796 / 1,887
B-81 / 100 — 2 points below the California average for state-licensed facilities (83/100)14
8
Facility 8
CA AVG 13
Rank #758 / 1,387
1
Facility 1
CA AVG 3
Rank #478 / 1,433
10
Facility 10
CA AVG 13
Rank #665 / 1,452
65.8%
Facility 65.8%
CA AVG 74.6%
Rank #949 / 1,313
C+Hsre Meridian At Anaheim Hills Trs LLC And AnaheimSuite

Rank badges are statewide: each community is ranked against every CA community we track that reports that metric, not just the 648 on this page. See how we rank facilities

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Overview of The Vineyards – California Armenian Home

Offering a continuum of care, the blissful senior living community of The Vineyards – California Armenian Home in Fresno County, Fresno, CA, empowers seniors to successfully age in place with access to care needs even as their needs change. The community offers independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing, designed to accommodate various lifestyle needs and provide excellent care. Choose from an array of studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments, and move into a residence that perfectly matches your lifestyle needs.

The community features a hardworking team, available 24/7 to provide compassionate, efficient, and professional care and support to every resident. Residents are empowered to continue learning, growing and living life to its fullest with a plethora of activities, including gardening, Tai Chi lessons, cooking classes, and exercise sessions. Another highlight of living in the community is their exceptional dining with meals inspired by the freshest locally sourced ingredients, grown right within the community.

Contact The Vineyards – California Armenian Home

Overview of The Reutlinger Community

Everyday is a life-enhancing opportunity at The Reutlinger Community, a charming senior living community in Contra Costa County, Danville, CA, offering independent living, assisted living, memory care, rehabilitation, and skilled nursing. With its continuum of care services, residents are guaranteed to gracefully age in place with seamless transition should their needs evolve. Residents are welcomed into beautifully designed studios, one-bedroom apartments, and memory care units that perfectly align with their tastes and needs.

With 24-hour team availability, residents and their loved ones can rest easy knowing they will be constantly supported by care partners who are truly invested in their health and happiness. Residents are empowered to continue living life to the fullest with lifelong learning programs, activities and opportunities for socialization offered by the community. Beautiful community amenities, including cozy lounge areas, dining rooms, an art room and physical fitness studio, provides relaxing space for exploration and enjoyment.

Contact The Reutlinger Community

Overview of Park Plaza

Peacefully nestled near Hart Park in Orange, CA, Park Plaza is a distinct community that offers independent living and assisted living. With beautifully furnished and cozy studio and one-bedroom floor plans, residents are guaranteed comfort and familiarity. A compassionate and highly trained team provides top-notch care tailored to residents’ special needs around the clock.

A carefully curated calendar of engaging activities and enriching programs is conducted, encouraging residents to live actively and make new friends. Three delicious and healthy meals are served daily to satisfy residents’ dietary needs and preferences. Residents also enjoy a maintenance-free living with the community’s weekly housekeeping, laundry, and transportation services. The community’s state-of-the-art amenities and welcoming setting create the ideal setting for a blissful retirement.

Contact Park Plaza

Overview of Belmont Village Senior Living Albany

Belmont Village Senior Living in Albany is an upscale residential assisted living and forward-thinking memory care community. The luxurious home near Berkeley boasts an innovative approach to senior care that strives to balance professionalism and make one feel at home. The first-class community is exceptionally thriving when it comes to its patients, creating an unparalleled level of care not found in many luxury retirement homes in Albany.

As a Belmont Village community, management excels in meeting the holistic needs of its residents with world-class hospitality and resort-style accommodations. Seniors maintain an active and comfortable lifestyle through wellness activities at the fitness center and indoor pool, stay creative at the arts and crafts studio, get together with friends and families at outdoor common areas, relax in fully furnished assisted living and memory care apartments, and maintain a healthy lifestyle through specialized, enriching programs.

Contact Belmont Village Senior Living Albany

Overview of Merrill Gardens at Rancho Cucamonga

Overlooking the picturesque scenery of Highland Avenue, Rancho Cucamonga, CA, Merrill Gardens at Rancho Cucamonga is a unique senior living community providing assisted living, independent living, and memory care. With its luxurious and well-designed residences including a wide array of studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments, seniors experience unrivaled comfort and security. The community goes above and beyond to deliver world-class care and assistance for seniors living without worries.

Spend your golden years in the vibrant and inviting environment of Merrill Gardens at Rancho Cucamonga. Participate in a jam-packed calendar of activities and engage in fun programs to maintain an actively engaged lifestyle. Delight with healthy and tasty meals catering to dietary needs and preferences. With its stunning amenities and scenic views, Merrill Gardens at Rancho Cucamonga strives to provide a safe place for seniors to thrive and enjoy every moment of their retirement.

Contact Merrill Gardens at Rancho Cucamonga

Atria Del Sol

23792 Marguerite Pkwy, Mission Viejo, CA 92692
Overview of Atria Del Sol

Situated in the warm and sunny Mission Viejo area of Orange County, Atria Del Sol offers gold standard senior assisted living for elderly individuals that need that extra bit of help in their daily lives. A professionally trained team that’s friendly and dedicated to providing discrete personal care (including bathing, dressing, for example) is available 24 hours a day, along with medical management, assistance in collaboration with your physician, based on the unique needs of each resident.

With things like housekeeping, laundry, and cooking no longer a worry, seniors at this assisted living home can lead full and fulfilling lives of leisure in the scenic facilities of Atria. Explore new skills, hobbies, and socialize among fellow retirees at your own comfortable pace.

Contact Atria Del Sol

Overview of Brookdale San Marcos

Brookdale San Marcos, found at 1590 W. San Marcos Blvd in San Marcos, California, delivers luxury assisted living in an elegant coastal setting. The community provides personalized care, genuine relationships, and a focus on helping residents enjoy an active and fulfilling lifestyle. At the community, residents can expect assistance with daily tasks such as housekeeping, meals, bathing, and dressing, all customized to their specific needs. The community offers a full calendar of events and activities, including shopping trips, art clubs, and fitness classes, allowing residents to explore old hobbies or discover new ones.

The community features vacation-style amenities, including an outdoor pool, fitness center, and transportation services. Apartments are spacious and pet-friendly, with options for studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom floor plans. Basic utilities and maintenance are typically included in the basic service rate, providing residents with peace of mind and fewer bills to worry about. They aim to meet residents where they are in life’s journey, making Brookdale San Marcos a top choice when looking for a community for your loved one.

Contact Brookdale San Marcos

Overview of Heritage on the Marina, a CCRC

Heritage on the Marina is considerably one of the most extended senior living communities in San Francisco. The beautiful Heritage on the Marina promotes an elegant ambiance with a welcoming community. Heritage on the Marina ensures that residents can experience an exceptional quality of service that is a testament to their commitment to enhancing the quality of life for all of their residents.

Its location nestles in a vibrant neighborhood filled with farmers’ markets, yacht clubs, and art galleries, all ready for you to explore. At Heritage on the Marina, there are a variety of activities and programs, with one priority being the health and wellness of the residents; therefore allowing fitness activities and programs to enhance seniors’ health. Residents are also uniquely given specific personalized attention that will cater to each individual’s needs. 

Contact Heritage on the Marina, a CCRC

Overview of Fairwinds Woodward Park

Fairwinds Woodward Park is an independent living and assisted living community where both options are guaranteed to be comfortable for residents to maintain their individuality and freedom. Residents in the community are cared for by ensuring that the holistic wellness of each resident is met. The community gives off an engaging and enriching environment where the professional care staff is attentive and ready to go above and beyond for the residents. Fairwinds has celebrated and understood the importance of growth by ensuring seniors get the best possible care and limitless opportunities during their stay.

The lifestyle at Fairwinds is inspired by resort-style stay– leisure is the center of senior wellness. Community features include restaurant-style dining experiences curated by an in-house chef to take PrimeFit Wellness classes, a cafe, a private dining room, a salon and barbershop, transportation, guest parking, and a courtyard with outdoor seating

Contact Fairwinds Woodward Park

Meridian At Anaheim Hills

525 S Anaheim Hills Rd, Anaheim, CA 92807
Overview of Meridian at Anaheim Hills

Meridian at Anaheim Hills of the Aura Collection of Communities is an independent living, assisted living, and memory care support home for seniors outside of Los Angeles. Considered the premier retirement home in the city, the residences provide the best convenience and comfort for seniors who seek to explore new adventures and experience a redefined luxury senior living. The dedicated and compassionate care staff is driven by its unwavering commitment to enhance the quality of life for residents to retire with a lifestyle that they deserve.

Meridian at Anaheim Hills provides a range of opportunities that ensure residents live life to the fullest everyday. Through forward-thinking amenities and services, such as a restaurant-style dining hall, spacious outdoor areas, beautiful landscaped outdoors, personalized meal plans, exciting social events, and specialized memory care programs– each individual is guaranteed to grow, connect, and learn at Anaheim’s trusted choice for retirement.

Contact Meridian At Anaheim Hills

Weighting overview

  • 35%
    Resident Experience
  • 25%
    Regulatory
  • 15%
    Visual Media
  • 10%
    Website
  • 10%
    Stability
  • 5%
    Environment
01

Resident & Family Experience 35%

The single largest share of every ranking. Aggregated review sentiment and volume from major platforms — the closest signal to real resident experience.

  • Includes
  • Review Sentiment
  • Review Volume
02

Regulatory & Safety Record 25%

State inspection records, citations, and complaint visits. We weight per-inspection rates more heavily than raw counts.

  • Includes
  • State Inspections
  • Citations/Inspection
  • % Inspections w/ Citations
  • Complaint Visits
  • Accreditations
  • BBB Rating
03

Visual Media & Transparency 15%

Communities that publish high-quality visuals give families a real preview. No photos or tours = a negative transparency signal.

  • Includes
  • Video Tours
  • Virtual Walkthroughs
  • Photo Quantity
  • Photo Quality
04

Website & Operator Transparency 10%

Site quality and whether the operator publishes basic accountability information — staff names, contact details, ownership.

  • Includes
  • Website Content
  • Mobile Usability
  • Staff Info Available
  • Owner Info Available
05

Community Stability 10%

Operational signals indicating whether a community is well-run and meeting demand.

  • Includes
  • Occupancy Rate
  • Bed Options
06

Environment & Pricing 5%

Walkability and pricing transparency. Walk Score is weighted higher for Independent Living than for Memory Care, where most residents do not leave unaccompanied.

  • Includes
  • Walk Score
  • Pricing Transparency
No paid rankings Communities cannot pay to influence placement.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Independent Living in California

What is independent living?

Independent living communities are residential settings for active older adults — typically with private apartments or cottages, shared amenities (dining, fitness, activities), and no built-in medical care.

How many independent living communities are listed on this page?

This page features 648 independent living communities in California. Use the filters and comparison tools above to compare ratings, amenities, and pricing.

How do I choose the right independent living community in California?

Start by matching the level of care offered to the resident's current and anticipated needs, then compare licensing status, staff-to-resident ratios, recent inspection results, and pricing. Tour at least two or three communities in California, talk to current residents and families, and confirm what is included in the base rate versus billed as add-on services.

What should I look for when visiting independent living communities in California?

Pay attention to staff interactions with residents, cleanliness and odor, food quality at meal times, the activity calendar, and how questions about pricing and care plans are answered. Ask to see the most recent state inspection report, the move-out / level-of-care-change policy, and a sample monthly bill that lists every fee.